Saskatchewan public health officials have shared details of the plan to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to youth using school clinics, which are expected to begin as early as June.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority has confirmed that it will be operating immunization clinics within all schools in the province to deliver the vaccine to youth, similar to other types of immunization programs typically provided.
An estimated 90,000 doses have been allocated to vaccinate youth aged 12 and over, who become eligible for vaccination beginning Thursday.
Parents will receive the exact delivery dates for individual school-based clinics from the schools themselves, said Merriman, but the goal is to begin in early June. Officials say the school clinic program will occur over a three-week period before school lets out this year.
"The option of school vaccinations provides greater convenience for parents who want to see their children provided protection through vaccination,” said Health Minister Paul Merriman, during a press conference on May 18.
Written consent for youth aged 12 to 17 will be required to receive vaccination, and it will approve both doses of the vaccine at once.
Merriman said that consent is required primarily for tracking purposes, to avoid immunizing individuals who have already been immunized during a school clinic or elsewhere.
“We really encourage parents to be active in discussions with their children, review the information packages that will be provided out through schools, and discuss with their kids about the importance of vaccination,” said Derek Miller, SHA emergency operations centre lead.
School clinics will be just one option for youth to receive vaccination, said Merriman. Youth within the eligible ages are also welcome to attend any of public health’s open clinics, including booked appointments, walk-in or drive-through clinics or participating pharmacies.
Youth who are homeschooled or parents who wish to accompany their child during vaccination are being directed towards one of these alternative options, in lieu of the school program.
Only the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for use in youth aged 12 to 17, and so it will be the primary brand used for this age group in all clinics, both public and school-based.
Vaccination against COVID-19 is not going to be mandatory in schools, said Merriman, and officials are confident that the flow of vaccine supply to the province will be sufficient enough to add the youth program.
As school clinics begin, the SHA will also be slowing down appointment availability over the next three weeks, to rearrange vaccine allocations.
Walk-in and drive-through clinics will be limited to operations on Fridays through Sundays, and booked appointments will be placed on hold temporarily, with residents seeking appointments directed towards pharmacies instead.
Second doses for youth are expected to be available in late July and August, following the age sequencing laid out for the second dose program.
Merriman said that the rate at which youth go for their second doses over the summer will determine if fall immunization clinics in schools will be required.
Information about the Pfizer vaccine and the school immunization program can be found online at saskatchewan.ca/COVID19-youth-vaccine.
